Real Estate Investments - Development and Improvement Projects (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Real estate investments
Invested in projects	$ 11,834
Development | Development and Improvement Commitments
Real estate investments
Invested in projects	3,443	$ 13,439
Improvements | Development and Improvement Commitments
Real estate investments
Invested in projects	742	3,253
ALF | Development | Development and Improvement Commitments
Real estate investments
Invested in projects	2,941	13,439
ALF | Improvements | Development and Improvement Commitments
Real estate investments
Invested in projects	41	1,135
SNF | Development | Development and Improvement Commitments
Real estate investments
Invested in projects	502
SNF | Improvements | Development and Improvement Commitments
Real estate investments
Invested in projects	$ 701	$ 2,118